Non-slip, Reinforced Heel Sock, Device and Element for the Same

ABSTRACT

A non-slip, reinforced heel sock is provided to prevent the slipping of the sock off of the foot, into the shoe. The sock is comprised of a toe portion, a heel portion, and a central body portion interconnecting the heel and toe portions, and a foot opening. The sock is worn inside of the shoe and is reinforced with an element that is attached to the heel portion of the sock and extends above the upper rear edge of the shoe.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to footwear, and moreparticularly to a no-show sock, with methods and devices to prevent thesock from slipping into the shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of shoes are commonly worn without socks between the foot andthe inside of the shoe. Some examples include women's pumps, flats,loafers, oxfords, boat shoes and high heels. However, wearing shoeswithout socks can cause discomfort to the wearer. The discomfort can bethe direct result of several different issues.

One issue, for example, includes the buildup of moisture inside the shoefrom the foot. This moisture can lead to the foot slipping within theshoe; potentially cause friction and blisters, and very possibly put thewearer at risk of injury due to compromised adherence of the shoe to thefoot. Foot odor is another undesirable result of wearing shoes withoutsocks; the natural accumulation of foot moisture over time can saturatethe shoe, rendering it malodorous and unwearable.

A popular solution to prevent the issues listed above, and also be instep with today's fashion, is to wear no-show socks. However a seriouslimitation of no-show socks is the tendency to slip off of the heel ofthe foot and slide into the heel of the shoe; bunching underneath thesole of the foot and causing the wearer to frequently stop and adjustthe sock. Additionally, to have the sock slide into the shoe and bunchunderneath the foot is very uncomfortable and prevents the shoe fromfitting properly, which could, in turn, present a hazard to the wearer.

Many solutions have been proposed to overcome the issue of socksslipping off of the foot heel and migrating to the inside of the shoe.Some socks have areas of anti-slip agents, such as silicone, added tothe inside heels of the socks, but this is only effective a small partof the time and wear and tear can reduce the effectiveness of theanti-slip agent over time.

Other solutions include; an object, such as a pompom or other ornament,affixed to the upper edge of heel of the sock and protruding outside ofthe shoe. This iteration does not provide sufficient support or thestability to prevent the sock from collapsing at the heel and beingpulled into the shoe, and the ornamentations often become dislodgedafter a few uses.

Another proposed construction is a sock with ankle straps and ties. Thisconfiguration limits the wearer to a certain style; bows, laces andstraps around the ankle mean that the wearer must compromise a “no-show”look and the flexibility of ease of use, for a less flexible look withdiminished ease of use.

Socks with heel flaps that fold over the heel of the shoe are unsightlyand unreliable in the prevention of sock heels slipping into the shoe.The excess material comprising the flap bunches up and is drawn into theshoe heel during wear.

As a result, there is a need for a sock that can provide the stabilityof a reinforced, non-slip heel and the comfort and ease of use that arecontained in the present embodiment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a new configuration of a footgarment. The present embodiment includes a foot covering which iscomprised of a toe portion, a heel portion, and a central body portioninterconnecting the heel and toe portions, and a foot opening.

The heel of the sock is reinforced with an element (or elements)attached to the heel portion and extends above the upper rear edge ofthe shoe. The reinforcing element(s) serve to prevent the heel of thesock from being pulled into the shoe while the wearer is walking orengaged in other activity.

The above summary of the present disclosure is not intended to describeeach embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.Advantages and attainments, together with a more complete understandingof the present embodiment will become apparent and appreciated byreferring to the following detailed description and claims taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the preferred embodiment will become more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description of the presentdisclosure read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a foot wearing a sock of the presentembodiment, illustrating the reinforcing element.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present embodiment with an alternativedesign of the reinforcing element.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a foot wearing a sock of the present embodimentinside of a shoe.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of heel of the sock of the present embodimentinside of a shoe.

FIG. 5 is a view of the rear portion of the sock of the presentembodiment depicting a manner in which the reinforcing element may beattached to the sock.

FIG. 6 is a view of the rear portion of the sock of the presentembodiment depicting an alternative manner in which the reinforcingelement may be attached to the sock.

FIG. 7 is a view of the rear portion of the sock of the presentembodiment depicting an alternative manner in which the reinforcingelement can incorporate an embellishment and how it may be attached tothe sock.

FIG. 8 is a view of the rear portion of the sock of the presentembodiment depicting an alternative manner in which an alternativereinforcing element may be attached to the sock.

FIG. 9 is a view of the rear portion of the sock of the presentembodiment depicting an alternative manner in which an alternativereinforcing element may be attached to the sock.

FIG. 10 is a view of the rear portion of the sock of the presentembodiment depicting a manner in which an alternative reinforcingelement may be attached to the sock including an opening for a removableembellishment.

FIG. 10A is a depiction of potential examples of removableembellishments that could be utilized in conjunction with the opening ofthe reinforcing element illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 is a view of the rear portion of the sock of the presentembodiment depicting an alternative manner in which the reinforcingelement can incorporate an alternative embellishment and how it may beattached to the sock.

FIG. 12 is a view of the rear portion of the sock of the presentembodiment depicting an alternative configuration in which a reinforcingelement may be attached to the sock.

FIG. 13 is a view of the rear portion of the sock of the presentembodiment depicting an alternative configuration in which a reinforcingelement may be attached to the sock.

FIG. 14 is a view of the rear portion of the sock of the presentembodiment depicting an alternative configuration in which a reinforcingelement may be attached to the sock.

FIG. 15 is a standalone view of the reinforcing element as a separateelement to add to sock at time of production.

FIG. 16 is a view of a separate, add-on, stand-alone clip for sock. Clipis independent of sock and can be added and removed.

FIG. 17 is a view of a possible method for attaching the embellishmentto the base of the reinforcing element.

FIG. 18 is an alternate view of a possible method for attaching theembellishment to the base of the reinforcing element.

FIG. 19 is an alternate view of a possible method for attaching theembellishment to the base of the reinforcing element.

FIG. 20 is an alternate view of a possible method for attaching theembellishment to the base of the reinforcing element.

FIG. 21 is an alternate view of a possible method for attaching theembellishment to the base of the reinforcing element.

FIG. 22 is a view of the rear portion of the sock of the presentembodiment depicting the reinforcing element attached to the sock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are explainedin detail, it is to be understood that other embodiments arecontemplated. Accordingly is not intended that the present embodiment islimited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangements ofcomponents set forth in the following description of illustrated in thedrawings. The present embodiment is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways.

All illustrations and drawings included are for the purpose ofdescribing the current embodiments and are not intended to limit thescope of the preferred and current embodiment.

For the purpose of this description; going forward, the terms“reinforcing element(s),” “reinforcing and embellishment element(s)and/or ornaments,” “reinforcing element(s) and/or embellishment(s) andornaments” may also be referred to as “the element(s).”

All embodiments represented here, and as part of any other future scopemay or may not include an adhesive, non-slip component applied to theinside of the heel portion.

A foot garment is identified herein as a non-slip, reinforced-heel sock,device and element for the same, which provides a sock that readilycovers the foot, from the toes, to the foot bottom and the heel andincludes a reinforcing element attached to the heel of the sock toprevent the sock from slipping into the shoe while being worn.

The preferred embodiment has a reinforced heel that includes an attachedornament or embellishment that is positioned above the back of the heelof the shoe, preventing the sock heel from slipping into the wearer'sshoe while wearing. The sock resembles a standard sock, with additionalelements; that are not limited to any particular materials, fabrics ordecorative elements, embellishments or ornaments; which are affixed tothe heel of the sock. The reinforcing element is two-fold; the additionof the fabric (or other material) strip provides additional stability tothe heel itself by stiffening it, and the ornament or embellishment actsas a “stopper.” Additionally, an adhesive, non-slip component, which canbe of any type of suitable material, may or may not, be added to theinside of the heel portion of the reinforcing element to increase thenon-slip-heel property of the sock even further.

Referring to FIG. 1; the sock, according to one embodiment will now bedescribed. The sock covers the toes, bottom of foot and heel portion ofthe foot. In this embodiment, the top of the foot is exposed. The sockcan be slipped over the foot. In reference to FIG. 3-FIG. 4, the heelportion of the sock has been reinforced with a strip of fabric thatextends above the back of a shoe heel and includes an added ornament orembellishment, again, which is configured to lie above the top of theshoe back and protrude out over the shoe back and hold up the sock. Thisconfiguration may or may not include an adhesive, non-slip componentapplied to the inside of the heel portion.

The reinforcing and embellishment element can be attached to the heel ofthe sock in a variety of ways; such as being sewn on, fused or glued on,or woven into the garment at the time of production. The method ofattachment is not limited to those mentioned here.

In FIG. 2; and in this embodiment, the sock also covers the same area ofthe foot, and depicts a different method of design and construction ofthe reinforcing element and accompanying ornament/embellishment. Thisiteration of the sock with the reinforcing element consists of anall-in-one piece reinforcing strip, or self-element, in which theembellishment is incorporated into it. Possible methods forincorporating a self-element include, but are not limited to knottingthe end of the strip or rolling the end and affixing it at the top,creating the “stopper” that prevents the sock from creeping into theshoe.

FIG. 5 includes a view of a possible attachment method of thereinforcing element and/or embellishment with the dotted line indicatingthat the reinforcing element covers the inside of the sock heel and thesolid line indicates that the reinforcing element covers the outside ofthe sock heel.

FIG. 6 illustrates another possible method of attachment, where theelement is affixed on the inside of the sock heel only; indicated by thedotted line. This embodiment may or may not include an adhesive,non-slip component applied to the inside of the heel portion.

In reference to FIG. 7, this iteration of the sock with the reinforcingelement consists of an additional version of an all-in-one piecereinforcing strip, or self-element, in which the embellishment isincorporated into it. In this figure in particular, the all-in-oneself-element shows that the strip is knotted to create the “stopper”embellishment. The solid line at the heel portion of the sock isintended to indicate that the element is affixed to the outside of thesock and the dotted lines indicate that the element is affixed to theinside of the sock as well. This embodiment may or may not include anadhesive, non-slip component applied to the inside of the heel portion.

In FIG. 8; and in this embodiment, the sock also covers the same area ofthe foot, and depicts a different method of design and construction ofthe reinforcing element and accompanying ornament/embellishment. Thisiteration of the sock with the reinforcing element consists of areinforcing strip that acts as a hook to curl over the back of the shoeto prevent the sock from slipping into the shoe. The solid line at theheel indicates that the element is attached to the sock on the outsideand the dotted line at the heel indicates that the element is attachedto the inside of the sock heel. FIG. 9 is a similar iteration of FIG. 8,the only difference being that in this version; the element is attachedonly to the inside of the sock heel, indicated by the dotted lines. Bothof these embodiments may or may not include an adhesive, non-slipcomponent applied to the inside of the heel portion.

In reference to FIG. 10, this iteration of the sock has a reinforcingelement with an opening to allow for the use of separate and removableembellishments or ornaments that act as the “stopper”. The reinforcingelement; i.e., the fabric (or other material) strip is attached to thesock at the time of manufacture/production and is configured with anopening, such as a buttonhole (but not limited to that type of opening)in which a separate ornament or embellishment can be added, changed orremoved. The solid line at the heel portion of the sock is intended toindicate that the element is affixed to the outside of the sock and thedotted lines indicate that the element is affixed to the inside of thesock as well. This embodiment may or may not include an adhesive,non-slip component applied to the inside of the heel portion.

FIG. 10A is a depiction of potential examples of removableembellishments that could be utilized in conjunction with the opening ofthe reinforcing element illustrated in FIG. 10. These embellishments andornaments would be created specifically for use with the sock andreinforcing element and are not limited to the shapes shown here, or toany particular type of ornament, material, or attachment shape or methodof attachment.

FIG. 11 includes a view of another type of embellishment or ornament,such as a button or any other type of decorative element attached to thereinforcing element. The dotted line indicates that the reinforcingelement covers the inside of the sock heel and the solid line indicatesthat the reinforcing element covers the outside of the sock heel. Thisembodiment may or may not include an adhesive, non-slip componentapplied to the inside of the heel portion.

FIG. 12 illustrates another possible configuration of the element; wherethe element is affixed only half way down on the inside of the sock heelonly; indicated by the dotted line, and only halfway down on the outsideof the sock heel, indicated by the solid line. This embodiment may ormay not include an adhesive, non-slip component applied to the inside ofthe heel portion.

FIG. 13 illustrates another possible configuration of the element; wherethe element is affixed to the upper portion of the edge of the heelportion. The inside of the sock heel only; indicated by the dotted line,and the outside of the sock heel, indicated by the solid line. Thisembodiment may or may not include an adhesive, non-slip componentapplied to the inside of the heel portion.

FIG. 14 includes a view of another type of embellishment or ornament, inthis version, a tab or other such part is woven into the edge of thesock heel itself and the embellishment/ornament is attached to the tabor part. The crossed lines on the heel of the sock indicate that an adsuch as a button or any other type of decorative element attached to thereinforcing element. The dotted line indicates an adhesive, non-slipcomponent applied to the inside of the heel portion. However, in otherembodiments of this configuration, an adhesive, non-slip component mayor may not be applied to the inside of the heel portion.

FIG. 15 depicts a separate reinforcing element, with or without anattached embellishment or ornament to add to sock at the time ofmanufacture. The reinforcement element and element can be made as onepiece and attached to the sock, or the reinforcing strip and theembellishment or ornament can be made separately and combined togetherto be added to the sock. The element is represented as a stand-alonepiece that can be manufactured separately or purchased separately to beadded to an existing foot garment. This element may or may not includean adhesive, non-slip component applied to the inside of the element.

FIG. 16 is a stand-alone clip for a sock that can be added and removedby the wearer at any time. The clip depicts a separate, stand-alonecomponent that acts as a reinforcing element in the form of a clip-on oradd-on, to be purchased separate from the sock. The stand-alonereinforcing element can be made with or without an attachedembellishment or ornament, which can be added in a separate step. Or thereinforcing element can be made as one piece. This embodiment is anelement represented as a stand-alone piece to be manufactured separatelyand purchased separately to be added to any existing foot garment. Thiselement may or may not include an adhesive, non-slip component appliedto the inside of the element.

FIG. 17-FIG. 19 Detail a possible method in which to attach anembellishment to a reinforcing strip. The reinforcing strip is cut into3 strands and the embellishment or ornament is threaded onto one of thestrips. The entire piece is folded over the back heel portion of thesock and attached by sewing, gluing, fusing or by any other appropriate,achievable means. This embodiment may or may not include an adhesive,non-slip component applied to the inside of the heel portion.

FIG. 20-FIG. 21 Detail another possible method in which to attach anembellishment to a reinforcing strip. The embellishment or ornament isthreaded onto a thinner strand of material, not limited to anyparticular material, and then affixed, in any appropriate, achievablemanner, to a larger strip, creating a layering effect. The entire pieceis folded over the back heel portion of the sock and attached by sewing,gluing, fusing or by any other appropriate, achievable means. Thisembodiment may or may not include an adhesive, non-slip componentapplied to the inside of the heel portion.

FIG. 22 is the embodiment of the sock using the attachment methoddescribed in FIGS. 20 and 21. In the depiction in FIG. 22, the smallerstrip with the embellishment attached to it, which is then attached to alarger strip and then affixed to the sock is depicted here. Thisembodiment may or may not include an adhesive, non-slip componentapplied to the inside of the heel portion.

I claim:
 1. A non-slip, reinforced heel sock
 2. As in claim 1, anon-slip, reinforced heel sock with reinforcing element configured tohave separate standalone embellishments added and removed
 3. A separatereinforcing element to add to sock at time of production
 4. Stand-aloneclip for sock that can be added and removed by the wearer at any time